It takes talent to make the struggle to succeed seem effortless, but that is the gift that separates artists like Brooklyn's John Jackson, aka Fabolous, from the everyday MC. While most rappers spend more and more time convincing the masses of their "hustle," Fabolous lets his work speak for his effort. With two platinum albums (2001's Ghetto Fabolous and 2003's Street Dreams) and one Gold (2004's Real Talk) to his credit, the veteran hitmaker still exudes a rookie-of-the year swagger. After recording for both Elektra and Atlantic Records, Fab is enjoying a home coming with the legendary Def Jam label. His first recorded song was "If They Want It" from DJ Clue's The Professional, which was released by Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam in 1998.
"I had people in my corner already over there," Fab says of DJ Clue and A&R Skane, the Desert Storm duo who discovered Fabolous. "So it wasn't like I was coming to a new neighborhood."
While he doesn't site any one reason for his move, Fabolous has learned a lot from his time in the industry and is eager to capitalize on his experience. "I haven't peaked yet," he explains. "I was happy with the past records, but I have some adversity to learn off of for the future."
It's appropriate that Fabolous is getting a fresh start for his latest release because he wants From Nothin' to Somethin' to be a rebirth for his fans old and new. "Everybody is trying to take what they have and make something more," says Fabolous, explaining the album's title. "It's a new year, everybody's on their hustle, back in the gym and I'm trying to give them some inspiration. This is music to chase your money too, work out--motivation music.
The first single "Make Me Better" is produced by Grammy Award winning producer Timbaland and finds Fabolous doing what he does best; blending radio ready sound beds with clever and memorable lyrics. Rapping that he needs "a Corretta Scott to make me King" Fab picks up with his female fans where "Baby" left off. "It's a great feel good record, it's got a lot of style to it," he says. "I wanted a record that could show that I could touch different people with my music."
Already recognized for his hit-making ability, Fabolous is eager to show the diversity of his technique while staying true to his blueprint for success. On the cocky "Make Money" he cleverly borrows Notorious B.I.G's trademark chuckle to comment on the laugh-ability of his competition: "these dudes is stand up rappers, hip-hop comedians, I start laughin as soon as I put your CD in." His wit and wordplay is not something he gets enough credit for, but the MC is confident people will come around. "Certain people recognize it," he says, "but its like they'll sing it in the shower, but they won't sing it outside. It's all good though. One of them days you gonna get drunk and start singing that song."
Enlisting a whose-who list of guests that includes Akon, Young Jeezy, Ne-Yo and Junior Reed, Fabolous plays to a variety of audiences on this disc, but there is no mistaking that it's his show from beginning to end. The anthemic "Brooklyn" features a yet to be disclosed surprise guest and "Change Up" pairs Fab with singer, producer extraodinaire Akon helping him reflect on his life and career.
"Anytime you become a successful person, people may look at you and say you changed," explains Fabolous, who references the October 2006 shooting that took place outside of Justin's restaurant in the lyrics of the song. "That record just talks about people changing as a person for money, how they carry themselves and treat other people. For me, I might have changed where I live or my number, but I haven't changed as a person…I slid a line or two about what happened in October but I'm not coming out with a bullet proof vest or anything."
The playful "Foggin Up The Windows," produced by Miami's The Runners, features R. Kelly's chopped and screwed vocals from his hit "Ignition" to prop up Fabolous' ode to parkin' lot pimpin' of the more carnal kind.
"I just took it back to trying to get some in the car," he says with a laugh. "Everyone's either done it or tried to get some in the car. It may not have been the place of choice but everybody's had a hotel on wheels."
Other rewind worthy tracks like "Real Playa" featuring Lloyd, "Diamonds" featuring Young Jeezy and the Just Blaze produced "Back To School" round out an impressive collection that makes From Nothin' to Somethin' worth the two-year wait. In his absence no artist has come close to matching his boyish charm, wit and unassuming cool both on and off the mic. With a new team and a pop of his collar Fabolous is indeed "fresh to Def."
"I'm trying to bring good music back to the game," he says confidently. "And anybody that's bringing good music, the hype is gonna follow them."
First Time
Fabolous Lyrics
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The first time you kissed my lips
The first time your finger tips
Touchin' me, couldn't resist
The first, the first, the first
The first time you kissed my lips
The first time your finger tips
Touchin' me, couldn't resist
The first time you held me close
The first time I couldn't say no
So lost inside of you
I knew I was met for you
[Fabolous]
Now, my first time checkin' you, only took a second to
Start inspectin' you without disrespectin' you
Wasn't expectin' you to say it was affectin' you
What you wearin' got me starin' like you butt-naked, boo
It may seem like I don't even reckon you
But I day dream about kissin' on the neck of you
Style is impeccable, smile is incredible
Ain't nothin' like ya, and, baby, I done met a few you
The way I feel - it's almost like crush (crush)
My heart beats faster - it's almost like a rush (rush)
And that's just when you enter in a room
I could tell when you around by the scent of ya perfume
I see why they put these R and B songs together
I feel like Mariah: "We belong together"
It's my pleasure; I treasure that I met ya
Bet ya I could get ya on the first time
[Rihanna]
The first time you kissed my lips
The first time your finger tips
Touchin' me, couldn't resist
I knew I was meant for this
The first time you held me close
The first time I couldn't say no
So lost inside of you
I knew I was met for you
[Fabolous]
Now, I remember datin'; the first time was intimidatin'
No rush, though, I spent the whole November waitin'
Come on, look at the patience that I'm demonstratin'
After a week or two I usually start eliminatin'
But we got through the convo on the phone
Now we finally chillin' on a condo all alone
I tried to be expressive without bein' aggressive
Just bein' suggestive, a lil' more impressive
And I'm a good player: I listen to the coach
He show me the play book, and said this is the approach
If you ever wanna score, 'cause some players rush they shots
And that's why they never on the floor
And that's why we both feelin' comfortable
Like long-time friends, only been a month or two
I got moves, and I know when to make 'em, but
I only give 'em if I know you could take 'em (uh oh)
[Rihanna]
The first time you kissed my lips
The first time your finger tips
Touchin' me, couldn't resist
I knew I was meant for this
The first time you held me close
The first time I couldn't say no
So lost inside of you
I knew I was met for you
[Fabolous]
Now before the first time we laid down in the bed
You ain't know the kind of thing that played around in my head
I ain't play around when I said you gon' 'member this
Might even turn yourself on when you reminisce
Our first time we were like virgins with experience
A little shy but I urged you to experiment
Things got wetta, oh, I mean betta, oh, I'm gettin' numb
I'm about c-c-c-come on now, not yet, boo, slow down
We just stepped in the ring, need a few more rounds
That's the first time it felt like that
Now you know why Fabolous is spelled like that, yeah
[Rihanna]
The first time you kissed my lips
The first time your finger tips
Touchin' me, couldn't resist
I knew I was meant for this
The first time you held me close
The first time I couldn't say no
So lost inside of you
I knew I was met for you
The first time you kissed my lips
The first time your finger tips
Touchin' me, couldn't resist
I knew I was meant for this
The first time you held me close
The first time I couldn't say no
So lost inside of you
I knew I was met for you
The song "First Time" by Fabolous feat. Rihanna portrays the first experiences that two people share in a relationship. The lyrics state that the first kiss, touch, and embrace were all memorable moments that they have cherished. Rihanna sings about how the first kiss and touch of Fabolous made her fall for him and knew from that moment that they were meant to be together. Fabolous also expresses his feelings about Rihanna and how he feels whenever she is around, calling it a crush and a rush.
The song later transitions into the first time they laid in bed together, where they were shy and inexperienced, but slowly opened up to experimenting with each other. The lyrics describe their experience as virgins with experience and how they gradually progressed together. The song ends with the phrase "I knew I was meant for you," implying that they believe they are destined to be together.
Overall, the song is a celebration of the first experiences that couples have when they start dating. The lyrics capture the excitement, nervousness, and passion that comes with exploring new experiences with a significant other.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SECAINA MARIE HUDSON, STEVIE ALLEN, TANEISHA DAMIELLE JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind